Self Care
When I put the question of ‘what does self care mean to you?’ out ‘there’ to women the expected answers come back:  Walks in nature, long baths, massages, meditation, yoga.  I do all of
these things, but I somehow have a knack for turning self-care into self-improvement.  I can turn a long bath into an opportunity to ladyscape and exfoliate. 
I can turn a nature walk into exercise, because, since I’m up and out, I might as well work up a sweat, right? Meditation can easily turn into a ‘search’ for meaning or guidance.  Yoga too is time to reach a goal of being flexible.  

I’ve been struggling with this and have spent the last few months making a concerted effort to figure out exactly what fills my tank.  I am discovering that it is very elementary, Dear Watson. 
I need far more rest than I think I do.  When I nap, instead of workout or go to bed when I’m tired, I am far more likely to enjoy a good mood.  When I unplug from the phone and computer to do nothing or only what I want to do, my compassion level rises.  When I feel all of my feelings, instead of deny, stuff or postpone them, I laugh more easily.  And crazy, when I eat when I’m hungry, I like everybody more!

In the never ending quest to be all I can be, I’ve somehow forgotten that I have basic needs! Exhaustion, depression and struggle has reminded me that I so still do.  In the words of my guru-daughter, “Mom! Are you a human being or a human doing?”

 In honour of National Women’s Day how about we celebrate by giving ourselves a break!  Let’s step back and enjoy all that we’ve accomplished. Let’s be KIND to our human selves. 
In nature, which is what we are in, there is bounty only after a season of rest.

What about you?  Is your self care filling your tank or is it more self improvement?